They received free coffee, Kind bars, and other cool swag from the Bicycle Coalition, our sponsors, and dozens of enthusiastic volunteers.

Around 9:30, a group ride began from the Penn Museum in West Philadelphia, to Dilworth Park in Center City. The group ride was joined by cyclists from Meredith Elementary School, members of Gearing Up Philadelphia, and others, for a celebration at Dilworth.

While there, Bicycle Coalition Executive Director Sarah Clark Stuart talked up bicycling in Philadelphia – including some of the work that still needs to be done – and gave out the Bicycle Coalition’s “Bike-Phriendly Business” awards to Project H.O.M.E. and Ticketleap, both of whom have programs in place to encourage their employees to bike to work.

After the awards were given out, Stuart handed the podium over to the Councilpeople in attendance, Bobby Henon, Helen Gym, and Alan Domb.

Henon’s 6th District in Northeast Philadelphia will be getting the city’s first parking-protected bike lane this summer.

Gym spoke up about the importance of bicycling, and creating safe spaces for city residents to transport themselves.